Blizzard's Chris Metzen Is Retiring

Blizzard's Chris Metzen announced his retirement in a heartfelt post on Battle.net's forums today. Metzen has been with the company for nearly 23 years, beginning with Justice League Task Force and Warcraft: Orce and Humans. Even the Diablo universe was co-created by Metzen (along with Bill Roper), and Metzen provided voices for many of Blizzard's iconic characters, including Thrall in Warcraft III.

While we could rattle on about Metzen's career, I think his own words speak best:

I’ve never been more proud of Blizzard and the quality of its products than I am now. It’s remarkable that even after all these years we can still reach new heights and take the world for an amazing ride. I believe Blizzard’s future is brighter than ever.

I won’t lie—it’s going to be really hard stepping away from these worlds that I love. But I’m content that I’m leaving them in the hands of the most ionate, talented, and dedicated craftsmen ever assembled.

I can’t wait to see where Blizzard’s worlds go next—and to experience them first-hand like everyone else does. As a fan. As an adventurer. Right back to the start.

That’s just so cool…

The reason I use the word “retire” is because I’m not going to some other company or starting up new projects or anything remotely like that. It’s been a long, amazing stretch of years. Now it’s time to slow it down. Rest. Lay around on the couch and get fat. Well, fatter.…

At 43, Metzen is fairly young to retire. Somehow, I don't think it's the last we've heard from him.